With National Stroke Awareness Month coming to a close, I wanted to send a friendly reminder to everyone about the signs and symptoms of stroke.
The National Stroke Association uses the acronym “FAST” to signify the warning signs, which include:
Face Drooping:
Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?
Arm Weakness:
Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
Speech Difficulty:
Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
Time to call 9-1-1:
If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.
Do not underestimate these signs, or let pride prevent you from getting checked out immediately if you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Many Blessings,
Kathi Koll
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